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Benedict's Chinese Flock

Updated March 31, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

It may not be Easter yet, but the Vatican is working hard on an earthly resurrection of its own: the restoration of ties with China. But there is a catch. Beijing insists that the Holy See drop its recognition of Taiwan in exchange for the right to minister to the mainland faithful.

Many a pontiff has dreamt of giving China's Roman Catholics greater contact with Rome. Pope Paul VI took the quietly-quietly approach, choosing not to denounce communism in his Vatican II encyclical. His was the last visit to "China" by...